About Us

From Humble Beginnings

HISTORY

Prior to opening its doors in a new location at Symphony Park and with a new name, the DISCOVERY Children’s Museum, Lied Discovery Children’s Museum was located in the historic Cultural Corridor in Downtown Las Vegas. The museum’s co-founders, Robin Greenspun and Mark Tratos, arranged a partnership between the Junior League of Las Vegas and the Allied Arts Council founding a private, nonprofit educational institution in 1984. A bond issue authorizing the building of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library and Discovery Museum in 1985 gave the museum a permanent home, which opened its doors to the public on September 9, 1990.

Over the years, the museum developed into a critical community asset that complemented and enhanced the educational experience of the children living in Southern Nevada and was regularly recognized for award-winning exhibits and programs. More than 2.2 million children and adults visited the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum.

Realizing a years-long relocation plan, the new museum opened March 9, 2013 in the Donald W. Reynolds Discovery Center adjacent to The Smith Center in Symphony Park. Much more than just the relocation of the current museum, the new museum helps redefine Las Vegas as a city that values culture and the arts, an urban lifestyle and, most importantly, its children. Three-stories tall in stature, the DISCOVERY Children’s Museum 58,000-square-foot building is home to nine-themed exhibition halls totaling 26,000 square feet of interactive hands-on core exhibits. The 5,000 square foot Featured Exhibitions Gallery is large enough to accommodate major exhibits from the nation’s leading museums. The new location is a safe, easily accessible, family-oriented and energetic educational destination that offers visitors extraordinary learning experiences and enhanced school, public and extended programs.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of DISCOVERY Children’s Museum is to foster a welcoming, vibrant, and inclusive environment where all are invited to engage in playful and educational experiences that ignite a lifelong love of learning.

VISION STATEMENT

As a premiere educational partner in the community, we will champion collaboration that inspires every child to become an innovative thinker through the joy and wonder of hands-on DISCOVERY.

CORE VALUES

DREAM: Curiosity is at the core of innovation and creative thinking. We celebrate new ideas and help children turn imagination into reality.

INCLUSIVITY: We honor the power of different perspectives from people of all abilities, backgrounds and beliefs.

SAFETY: We take pride in providing a safe, clean, and accessible environment.

COLLABORATION: We believe our community is stronger when people connect and organizations partner together. We thoughtfully create partnerships that serve the diverse needs of our community.

ONE-OF-A-KIND.

VALUE: We deliver an exceptional experience families can trust, and create lasting memories for every generation.

EDUCATION: We serve the developmental needs of all children through interactive exhibits and informal learning experiences. We are committed to meeting the ever changing needs of our society.

RESPECT: We create a culture of respect by valuing human dignity and kindness.

PLAY: Play is a child’s way of learning, and laughter and happiness are essential for every child to experience.